Ecology tab, can end, tooling and method
AssigneeStolle Machinery Company, LLC
InventorsDennis Cornelius Stammen, Robert Joseph Will, Christopher Lawrence Macke, Patrick Kevin McCarty, Robert Herbert Brussell, Greg Scott Williams, Steven Todd Albright
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A reduced length ecology tab is provided for a can end. The can end includes an end panel and a rivet affixing the tab to the end panel. The tab includes a body having first and second opposing ends, and a length measured by the distance between the first end and the second end. A nose portion is disposed at or about the first end, and a lift portion is disposed at or about the second end. The length of the tab is less than 0.985 inch.
Claims20
A tab for a can end, the tab comprising:
- a body including a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and a length measured by the distance between the first end and the second end;
- a nose portion disposed at or about the first end;
- and
- a lift portion disposed at or about the second end,
- wherein the length of the tab is less than 0.985 inch.
A can end comprising:
- an end panel;
- a rivet;
- and
- a tab affixed to the end panel by the rivet,
- wherein the tab comprises:
- a body including a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and a length measured by the distance between the first end and the second end;
- a nose portion disposed at or about the first end;
- and
- a lift portion disposed at or about the second end,
- wherein the length of the tab is less than 0.985 inch.
The can end of claim 14 wherein the first arc-shaped bead is disposed opposite the second arc-shaped bead;
- wherein the end panel further comprises a first locating bead and a second locating bead;
- wherein the first locating bead is disposed adjacent the first arc-shaped bead;
- and wherein the second locating bead is disposed adjacent the second arc-shaped bead.
The can end of 9 wherein the end panel further comprises a diameter and an outer perimeter;
- wherein the second end of the tab is disposed a distance from the outer perimeter of the end panel in order to provide finger access to the lift portion of the tab;
- and wherein the distance is between 0.325 inch and 0.500 inch.
A method of forming a can end including a reduced length tab, the method comprising:
- providing a conversion press including at least one tab die and at least one lane die,
- forming a plurality of can ends from shells fed through the at least one lane die,
- forming a plurality of tabs from tab stock fed through the at least one tab die, and
- riveting the tabs to the can ends,
- wherein the step of forming the tabs comprises forming each tab to have a body including a first end, a second end disposed opposite and distal from the first end, and a length measured by the distance between the first end and the second end, wherein the length of the tab is less than 0.985 inch.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.